There are a few reasons why your dog is eating your underwear, including curiosity and attraction to the smell, but also boredom, anxiety, or health concerns. It might seem harmless, but this behavior is dangerous because eating clothing, such as socks and underwear, can cause a serious gastrointestinal obstruction. Learn why your dog is eating your underwear and how to stop it to keep your pup (and your underwear drawer) safe.
Your dog could be eating your underwear for a variety of reasons—some harmless and others a cause for concern. Some of the reasons your dog is eating your underwear include:
Dogs explore the world with their noses. A highly evolved olfactory system allows dogs to smell far better than any human ever could. When they come across an item that smells strongly of a family member, they are drawn to it. Even clean underwear can have lingering human smells that dogs can detect.
Dogs often greet humans with a nose to the crotch. Humans have active sweat glands in that region which produce pheromones and other scents. Dogs can learn a lot about a person by smelling them. The same rationale applies to your underwear.
Once your dog has discovered a pair of underwear, he may lick and chew the fabric to explore it or play with it. As unappealing as it sounds, the dog may enjoy the smell and taste. Some dogs simply chew the underwear, but others will actually ingest it.
Besides the obvious gross-out factor and the loss of your skivvies, eating underwear can cause serious health issues for dogs. Fabric cannot be digested in the stomach; the body will try to expel it or pass it. Your dog may vomit up all or part of underwear completely.
There is a risk, however, of the underwear becoming trapped in the gastrointestinal tract, causing an obstruction. This is a serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Possible initial signs of a GI obstruction include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. The abdomen may become painful and/or bloated. If you notice these signs and you suspect your dog might have eaten something non-edible, bring your dog to the nearest open veterinarian immediately. A GI obstruction may be discovered via radiographs or ultrasound. If so, the foreign body will need to be removed. If the foreign body is in the stomach, it may be possible to remove it with endoscopy. Blockages in the intestines require abdominal surgery.
Contact your vet if you notice your dog trying to eat your underwear or any other inappropriate items. It's important to rule out a medical or nutritional causes before attempting to correct the behavior. If you know your dog has recently ingested a pair of underwear, your vet may be able to give them a medication to make them vomit them up.
If there is no medical reason why your dog is eating your underwear, it can be a fairly easy problem to fix just by making a few small adjustments.
The best way to keep your dog from eating your underwear is to keep clothing out of reach of your dog. Keep dirty laundry in a closed hamper or bin. Put clean laundry away in drawers and closets before your dog can steal them from the laundry basket.
Take steps to enrich your dog's environment and reduce boredom. Spend time exercising and bonding with your dog. Consider interactive dog toys, tasty dog chews, and even dog sports to occupy his busy mind and body. Go on long walks, allowing him to sniff around thoroughly. Change your route regularly to offer new smells, sights, and sounds.
Training can also help you get your dog's underwear-eating habit under control. Work on cues, such as "drop it" and "leave it," so you can stop your dog at the moment you catch him trying to eat something they shouldn't. Always use positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Redirect your dog to a toy or game. Reward him for diverting his attention from the underwear (or other "bad" item) and back to you with a treat or praise. Besides making your dog a better listener, you'll increase your bond, too.
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